Sir Foltest

“I’m not complaining but I am not the one who has to leave early tomorrow,” Oberon said as he drank from his flagon of ale.

When the meeting finally finished I needed to drink so I invited the other men in the meeting for a drinking session since my Lady Alexandria invited all the ladies to the public bath. Unfortunately, only Oberon and Sir Castor accepted. Margrave Allard did not drink, and he wanted to spend time with his wife. The twins preferred to train before sleeping and Olivier and Clemente wanted to join us, but Lady Sirena glared at them, and they made the excuse that they wanted as much rest as possible for tomorrow. Poor fellows were henpecked.

I sat on a cushioned chair near the fireplace, Oberon across from me in his wheelchair, and Sir Castor sat in a cushioned chair between us. I drank from my flagon of ale and spoke when I finished drinking. “I will not take enough to get drunk just something to ease my worries. Our talk of undying and silent men has me a little on edge.”

Sir Castor stared into the fire seemingly in a trance. “They die, you just need to put in a bit more effort, a chopped-off head or crushed skull does the job just fine.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Honestly, it’s hard to believe, but perhaps I will see them for myself in the Betelgeuse duchy.”

The explanation of a drug that can numb pain and feelings sounds farfetched to me, yet so does Oberon's idea that they are somehow connected to the unexplored lands. I will need to see the truth myself.

I took a small sip of my ale casting those thoughts aside to dwell on at a later time. “Enough talk about undying men instead I want to know more about how you met Oberon Sir Castor, and how you beat him. Truthfully, I am a bit jealous I thought I was the first person to humble the young Oberon.”

Oberon laughed spitting out some of his ale. “I don’t know if I should be flattered that you feel jealous about that or worried.”

I just shrugged my shoulders and grinned at him.

Sir Castor laughed softly in a voice that did not fit such an individual. Though I believed he was older than me his short brown hair had not lost its luster, His bronze skin was free of any wrinkles, and I could see through his simple tunic that he was lithe with corded muscle. He was not as tall as his daughter so Lady Sirena may have gotten her height from her mother or was just born big to regular-sized people like me.

Sir Castor took a drink of his ale before turning to Oberon looking at him with amusement. “Shall I tell the tale, or would you like to tell it?”

Oberon shook his head groggily. “You are free to tell it. I would like to hear how we met from your perspective.”

Sir Castor smiled slightly and nodded. “It was about 9 years ago I was 36 years old and was invited by a noble from the Sagittarii duchy to participate in the tournament of champions an all weapons melee after he saw my skill with a spear in a small town in the Ursae Earldom.” He paused to take a drink from his ale.

The tournament of champions and the only one Oberon competed in before he was crippled. Oberon claimed when we met that he did not lose but was unfairly disqualified.

I stared at Oberon scrutinizing him, and he must have known what I was thinking because he took a drink from his ale avoiding my stare.

“I decided to accept as there was prize money for the top 4 and I wanted to provide more for my wife and daughter. Sirena was 17 at the time and wanted to compete as well but she was not invited, and I did not think such a tournament would allow someone so young in. I was wrong. Oberon was the youngest competitor in the tournament and was doing quite well. He reached the top 8 where he met me. He was the most formidable opponent I had until that point. I could tell that he was not used to fighting against someone with a spear, but it did not take him long to get a grasp of my reach and to stay away while he tried to find an opening. He got close a couple of times, but I was too quick on my feet, and he couldn’t keep up. He was getting frustrated as we continued our little game of cat and mouse and eventually he got sloppy and made a mistake. I baited him with an opening that he took, he quickly made his move and I countered by sweeping his feet with my spear he fell on his back and the judge called the match in my favor.”

Oberon shook his head seemingly in disbelief. Perhaps that is what he meant when he told me he was unfairly disqualified.

“After the match, the competitors were sent to a room near the arena where they could watch the tournament. In that room, I approached Oberon to congratulate him for making it so far for someone so young.” He laughed taking another sip of his ale. “I think he thought I was mocking him so he grew angry and said some words, he said the spear was a coward’s weapon, that he would have won had the judge not called the match, then he challenged me to a duel after the tournament and when I declined he called me a coward again. It was the brashness of youth like my daughter, so I did not take it to heart. After that, I won the tournament and was invited to the Duke's estate alongside the top 12 so Oberon was invited as well. I tried talking to him there, but he avoided me, and then we began to be hounded by nobles trying to recruit us. Realizing that as the winner I was going to get piled on I took the best offer I had at the moment from Lady Alanis. She is the wife of Margrave Allard, she enjoys tournaments and duels and was also looking for people to recruit. She offered to get me knighted and to help relocate my family to Leonis. She did so and eventually, I proved myself reliable enough to be Margrave Allard's right hand as he puts it.”

Oberon nodded and tried to drink from his flagon, but it was empty, so he stared at it in disappointment. “That sounds about right. Thinking back on it I did not react appropriately to losing. I should have been happy that I found someone I could go all out against, but perhaps I was not in the right state of mind at the time. Although I still maintain that I could have beat you if the judge had not called the match.”

Come to think of it that was around the time I heard the rumor that Oberon was going to be disinherited because of some disturbance he caused in Vesterwood.

Sir Castor laughed in disbelief. “It seems that you still have some of that brashness.”

“Oberon may have been a brash and arrogant boy, but he was not without skill. How about you and I have a match or two someday Sir Castor?” I said looking at him with anticipation.

“Unfortunately, I am not as strong or quick as I once was, but I would not mind having a match with you either Sir Foltest. Now that I have shared my tale how about you tell me how you and Oberon met.” This time he looked at me in anticipation.

I grinned and met Oberon's eyes who groaned in embarrassment. “Shall I tell the tale, or would you like to tell it?” He wheeled away going to refill his flagon with more ale.

Valeria

“The water comes from the ground!? I have heard of such a thing, but I did not think it would be so warm and relaxing.” Brigette remarked in pleasure, sinking further into the water.

“Something about the rocks heating the water as it comes up. I don’t know how it works, and I don’t care all I know is that this is the best place to relax after a mission.” Sirena sighed stretching her impressively muscled arms.

“It is one of the reasons I never complained about being sent here. I believe it is the secret to how Margrave Allard, Sir Castor, Lady Alanis, and Lady Mirena have managed to age so gracefully.” Ludivine said taking a sip of a cup of milk that she brought in.

“I can believe that I feel the knots in my muscles untangling as I speak. What or your thoughts Valeria?” Alexandria asked turning to me.

My body was completely submerged in the water only my face from my nose up remained above the water. I raised my head to speak. “Do you know of any such places in Sagittae? I am willing to claim that land and build a new home there with Oberon.”

Alexandria splashed her hands in the water laughing. “Unfortunately, I do not think there is such a place or at the very least it has not been found.”

Truly unfortunate. I could get used to simply submerging myself in these waters every day.

“Valeria we will be working together tomorrow until we kidnap the Duke of Betelgeuse and bring him back here, and yet other than being Oberon's attendant, I don’t know much about you. I like to know my team it helps us work more effectively. So, will you tell me about yourself?" Sirena asked walking towards and sitting in front of me.

How admirable. Looks like she will be an excellent leader for this mission.

“There is not much to tell. Before I met Oberon I was a mercenary that did work in the land beyond the sea. I am considerably strong and skilled I do not believe I will lose to anyone easily. I can work well in a team though I am usually the person in charge, I do not mind following someone else’s lead if I think they are better suited to do so, and I believe for this mission you are better suited to do so Sirena.” I submerged myself in the water again enjoying the warmth.

Sirena nodded seemingly satisfied. “I think we will work together just fine Valeria. I will enjoy having another woman on my team.” She smiled and moved next to me submerging herself in the water as well.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone with your appearance before Lady Valeria. If you don’t mind me asking, where are you from?” Ludivine asked looking at me curiously.

She was not the only one who was curious. Sirena rose from the water slightly to stare at me and Alexandria and Brigette stopped their conversation to stare at me as well. I was not surprised she asked as I knew my beautiful appearance was not often if ever seen. I was more surprised that I wasn’t asked sooner but perhaps they thought I wouldn’t answer honestly.

There is no need to lie as even I do not know, though Oberon and I have some guesses.

“I don’t know. I told Alexandria I was raised by mercenaries, and I don’t know anything about where I am from or have any memories before I was picked up by them.”

They blinked stunned for a moment.

“You truly don’t know? You’re not just lying to us?” Brigette asked in amazement.

I shook my head still submerged in the water. “I’m not lying I truly do not know. Oberon and I have been looking into it, but I don’t particularly care where I am from. Even if I found out it would not change the fact that I am who I am, Valeria nothing more nothing less.”

“Surely the mercenaries that raised you knew where you were from. Did they never tell you?” Alexandria asked confused.

“The circumstances of our meeting are unique. They did not know where I was from or even had an idea I’m guessing.”

They continued to stare at me probably more curious about me now. I decided to steer the conversation away to stop them from asking questions.

“Enough about that. I have something to say to Brigette.” I narrowed my eyes at her trying my best to hide my teasing smile. “Your sketch of Oberon was quite impressive, though I agree with him when he said it was more handsome than he was. Nevertheless, I hope you are not having any strange ideas. I like you Brigette, but I am not one to share."

She flushed and completely submerged herself in the water then came up to breathe. She spoke quickly but surprisingly did not trip over her words. “It’s not like that! I just admire him! I’m not saying I want to be completely like him, but I think we are similar in a way so maybe I can be a little like him! I know that you and he are together, and I would never do anything to change that! I like you too Valeria an-“

I could not hold it in anymore and a chuckle escaped my lips causing Brigette to stop her rant. “Relax Brigette I was just teasing you a little. I am not such a petty woman that I will begrudge you your admiration of Oberon.” She sighed in relief and relaxed, so I decided to tease her a bit more. “Or your infatuation either.”

She submerged herself in the water again causing me and all the other girls to burst out laughing.

Alexandria coughed trying to hide her laugh when Brigette rose out of the water. “I think you’ve teased Brigette enough for one day Valeria. Now then, Shall we take our leave? We have spent quite a bit of time down here already.”

We nodded reluctantly and got out grabbing towels and drying ourselves off. My pale skin was rose-red from the heat, but it quickly cooled. I covered it up quickly and tried to set my mind to the mission ahead, but I could not do so completely.

Since we met, Oberon and I have not often been so far from each other for so long. I know I shouldn’t worry, and he wouldn’t want me to either but still…

I turned to address Brigette and Alexandria who were still drying themselves. “Brigette, Alexandria, I leave Oberon in your care until I return. He can take care of himself but there are some things he cannot do on his own and is too prideful to ask anyone other than me for help. If you notice such a situation I hope you can help him even if he refuses.” I requested with as much sincerity that I could muster.

They looked at me surprised, perhaps they did not think I would say such a thing. “You don’t even need to ask Valeria. We are allies after all.” Alexandria said reassuringly. Brigette nodded her head in agreement as well.

Now that I have set my worries aside somewhat I can focus on the mission. With the information that the Orion Kingdom may be using the forbidden arts of the unexplored lands, things have changed. Oberon and I did not expect this so soon, I will have to learn more about it during the mission.